"If this is the case," said the Princess, with perfect calmness, "I must
have recourse to my other method, which is infallible."

Elenko inquired what it might be.

"I shall represent to my uncle, what indeed he very well knows, that a
saint is, properly speaking, of no value till he is dead. Not until his
decease are his relics available, or pilgrimages to his shrine feasible. It
is solely in anticipation of this event that my uncle is keeping Desmotes
at all; and the sooner it comes to pass, the sooner will my revered
relative come by his own. Only think of the capital locked up in the new
church, now so nearly completed, on the spot where they picked up the
eagle! How shall it be dedicated to Desmotes in Desmotes' lifetime? Were it
not a most blissful and appropriate coincidence if the day of the
consecration were that of the saint's migration to a better world? I shall
submit this view of the case to my uncle: he is accustomed to hear reason
from me, of whom, between ourselves, he is not a little afraid. Thou mayest
rely upon it that about the time of the consecration Desmotes will ascend
to heaven; while thou, it is gravely to be feared, wilt proceed in the
opposite direction. Would'st thou avert this unpleasantness, think well of
my first proposal. I give thee credit for loving Desmotes, and suppose,
therefore, that thou wilt make some sacrifice for his sake. I am a Kettle,
thou art a Pot. Take heed how thou knockest against me!"

Elenko sped back to bear tidings of the threatened collision to
Prometheus. As she approached his chamber she heard with astonishment two
voices in eager conversation, and discovered with still greater amazement
that their dialogue was carried on in Greek. The second speaker, moreover,
was evidently a female. A jealous pang shot through Elenko's breast; she